CM Siddaramaiah announces ex-gratia for Chitradurga accident victims

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday expressed condolences to the victims of the tragic bus accident near Hiriyur in Chitradurga district and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured in the accident.

The CM assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the incident and that necessary measures would be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future. He further directed officials to provide all required assistance to the affected families.

In the X post, he wrote, “Compensation of Rs. 5 lakh each will be provided to the families of those who died in the horrific accident that occurred in Chitradurga, and Rs. 50,000 each to those who were injured. Having obtained information about the incident from the officials, I have directed them to stand by for assistance to the affected. An investigation will be conducted in this regard, the cause of the accident will be identified, and necessary measures will be taken.”

ಚಿತ್ರದುರ್ಗದಲ್ಲಿ‌ ಸಂಭವಿಸಿದ ಭೀಕರ ಅಪಘಾತದಲ್ಲಿ ಮೃತಪಟ್ಟವರ ಕುಟುಂಬಗಳಿಗೆ ತಲಾ ರೂ.5 ಲಕ್ಷ ಹಾಗೂ ಗಾಯಗೊಂಡವರಿಗೆ ತಲಾ ರೂ.50,000 ಪರಿಹಾರ ನೀಡಲಾಗುವುದು.

ಘಟನೆಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳಿಂದ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಪಡೆದುಕೊಂಡು, ಸಂತ್ರಸ್ತರ ನೆರವಿಗೆ ನಿಲ್ಲುವಂತೆ ಸೂಚಿಸಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ಈ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ತನಿಖೆ ನಡೆಸಿ, ಅಪಘಾತಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾರಣ ಪತ್ತೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಅಗತ್ಯ ಕ್ರಮ…

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) December 25, 2025

“I once again pray for the swift recovery of the injured and that the souls of the deceased attain peace,” the Chief Minister added.

The accident claimed the lives of nines people after a lorry rammed into a private bus near Gorlathu village on National Highway-48. The incident occurred when the container lorry allegedly lost control, jumped the divider, and collided with the bus.

According to IGP Dr BR Ravikante Gowda, the bus was headed to Gokarna from Bengaluru when the accident occurred. “A Seabird bus was going to Gokarna. A container truck rammed the bus after jumping the divider. As per preliminary investigation, eight bus passengers and the lorry driver have died, a few escaped with injuries”.

#WATCH | Chitradurga, Karnataka | IGP Dr BR Ravikante Gowda says, “The accident happened at 2 am… A container crossed the divider and hit a moving bus… Three people are missing… Hopefully, they are alive… One person is at risk and has been taken to the hospital for… https://t.co/aTrDHKnYD9 pic.twitter.com/IkKiOl2dKv

— ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2025

The accident left several people injured, with one person sustaining 20 pc burns and referred to Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru for treatment. The police official stated that there were 32 people on the bus, including the driver and conductor. “One injured person has been referred to the Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru as their 20% body has been burnt… According to our information, there were 32 people on the bus, including the driver and the conductor”, the IGP added.

A school bus carrying 48 students, which was travelling parallel to the private bus, collided with the burnt bus, but none of the children were injured. The school bus driver, who witnessed the entire incident, is assisting the police with their investigation.

“A school bus travelling from T Dasarahalli to Dandeli, travelling parallel, also collided with the burnt bus. Fortunately, nothing happened to the 48 students who were on that bus. That school bus driver is the eyewitness to the whole incident. We are also recording his statement… Further enquiry is on”, IGP Dr Ravikante Gowda added. (ANI)